Zur Konzeption eines deutschen Lernworterbuchs fur fremdsprachige Rezipienten
Date
1992-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
This study presents conceptions for a German learner's dictionary ("Lemworterbuch"),
aimed at the needs of the foreign language learner as recipient.
The requirements set and proposals made for such a dictionary are aimed at improving
the linguistic competence of the learner when he/she uses the language as recipient, in
other words when he/she reads a German text or hears the spoken language (e.g. in
conversation, on the radio, television, film etc.).
III
The target users are persons whose mother tongue is not German, but whose mastery of
the language is at a fairly advanced level. Such users, who have mastered the basic
grammatical rules of the German language and already have a good basic vocabulary,
will nevertheless experience difficulties in using existing German explanatory
dictionaries such as DUDEN and WAHRIG. These dictionaries present information in
such a complicated way that it remains inaccessible to the average foreign language
speaker. The propositions made in this thesis are directed at creating a dictionary that
could overcome the existing gap between the bilingual translating dictionary with
German as target language and the monolingual explanatory German dictionary.
This study proceeds on the assumption that it is impossible to compile a dictionary
without the consistent application of theoretically expounded principles (regarding
linguistics, typography etc.). The subtlest detail regarding typographical layout is also
emphasized, since the presentation of information determines how easily information
can be retrieved from the dictionary. Proposals are made for a user friendly
arrangement of material, which will enable the user to retrieve desired information
easily and immediately. Two language aspects that are of the utmost importance to the recipient, flexion and
definition, are examined. The way in which these two aspects are currently dealt with
in monolingual dictionaries is investigated. From this investigation it is evident that
flexion and defmition are inadequately dealt with for the specific needs of the foreign
language learner. Suggestions are made to improve weaknesses and inconsistencies in
order to make the dictionary more suitable for the language learner.
Finally, the principles required by a German learner's dictionary for recipients are
demonstrated by means of various entries. This serves as an example of how the
dictionary could finally look. ;The entries are presented in both the printed and the
electronic medium. The potential of both these media is utilized to show how the
presentation of information can improve the user friendliness and accessibility of the
dictionary.
Description
Thesis (MA (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch,
Keywords
German language -- Lexicography, German language -- Foreign countries - Study and teaching, Dissertations -- German language, Theses -- German language